First results of ClimateScanner assessment presented at the COP29

11.11.2024

Most national governments cannot track how much they spend on climate action, government external auditors say

The first consolidated results of the ClimateScanner, a trailblazing initiative of Brazilian Federal Court of Accounts will be published at the COP29. As many as 61 Supreme Audit Institutions (SAI) participated in the first round of rapid reviews assessing their governments’ activities in climate governance, public policies and climate finance.

“With ClimateScanner, SAIs can help governments improve their response to climate change, identify priority areas, and assess their progress in meeting climate commitments” states Director Carlos Lustosa from SAI Brazil. 

While governments tend to have the institutions, laws, strategies and plans in place, the main issues related to climate change mitigation were found in risk management and monitoring of policies. The same applies to adaptation, especially concerning water resources, food security and disaster sectors. 

Auditors found most problems in the finance axis: governments don’t know how much they are spending on climate action, or how much they spend on policies leading into the opposite direction. Governments’ strategies to encourage the private sector to invest in climate projects lack tracking mechanisms and transparency. This is a problem since public resources are insufficient to overcome the global challenge. 

It is necessary to include vulnerable groups in decision-making processes to build more equitable climate policies. This also applies to vulnerable countries: those that need international aid the most have low capacity to receive external resources.

More rapid reviews in 2025

According to Project Manager Dashiell Costa, in 2024, more than 240 auditors from 141 countries were trained to apply the ClimateScanner notes. Another round of reviews will be conducted next year. “In 2025, we expect more SAIs to conduct the assessment. We aim to publish the full consolidated results at COP 30”. 

“ClimateScanner has been a great opportunity to learn about governments’ action and inaction in climate field, especially benefitting those SAIs that have never audited climate topics before” says Secretary General Vivi Niemenmaa of the INTOSAI Working Group on Environmental Auditing.

The ClimateScanner and the first round of results will be presented at COP29 on Thursday 14 November at the Azerbaijan Pavilion at the Blue Zone at 11:30 AM. Find the program of the event here.